Planeshift continued Invasion's theme of multi-colored "gold" cards. Its themes revolved around multicolored decks and strategies.

The following mechanics first appeared in Planeshift:

• Gating - When a creature with gating comes into play, its controller must return a creature he or she controls to its owner's hand. Cards with this disability cost less to make up for it. Many combos were created with gating creatures where cards had an ability played when they came into play.
• Familiars - A cycle of creatures that reduced the cost of allied-colored spells you play.